AT&T didn't perform well across the board in a new Consumer Reports survey, but its 4G wireless network performed the best. / ETIENNE FRANCHI AFP/Getty Images

by Edward C. Baig, USA TODAY

by Edward C. Baig, USA TODAY

There's good news and bad news for AT&T in Consumer Reports' latest annual cellphone service ratings.

First the bad: the carrier finished last among the four major U.S. cellphone providers, behind Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile.

But AT&T also had a silver lining. The company's 4G (fourth generation) wireless network performed the best, at least judging by the fact that it received fewer complaints than any of its rivals. That's notable considering considering more people surveyed use AT&T's 4G network with their smartphones.

As the leader, Verizon received favorable scores for voice and data service quality and for its support staffers' knowledge and ability to solve problems. Consumer Reports says Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T received mostly low to middle ratings on such attributes.

Among the other survey findings, Consumer Cellular, a no-frills carrier that uses AT&T's network, got high marks across the board.

And two-thirds of survey respondents who switched to "prepaid plans" without a long-term contract commitment and advanced monthly bill saved more than $20 a month by making that switch. TracFone was a prepaid provider that received excellent marks as well.